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1. [La(η ^x -B _x )La] ⁻ ( x = 7–9): a new class of inverse sandwich complexes

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c8sc05443f  

   Chen, Teng-Teng; Li, Wan-Lu; Li, Jun; Wang, Lai-Sheng (February 2019, Chemical Science)

   Despite the importance of bulk lanthanide borides, nanoclusters of lanthanide and boron have rarely been investigated. Here we show that lanthanide–boron binary clusters, La 2 B x − , can form a new class of inverse-sandwich complexes, [Ln(η x -B x )Ln] − ( x = 7–9). Joint experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the monocyclic B x rings in the inverse sandwiches display similar bonding, consisting of three delocalized σ and three delocalized π bonds. Such monocyclic boron rings do not exist for bare boron clusters, but they are stabilized by the sandwiching lanthanide atoms. An electron counting rule is proposed to predict the sizes of the B x ring that can form stable inverse sandwiches. A unique (d-p)δ bond is found to play important roles in the stability of all three inverse-sandwich complexes. 

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2. Stabilizing Borinium Cations [X–B–X] ⁺ through Conjugation and Hyperconjugation Effects

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b02316  

   Zhang, Yan; Xie, Yaoming; Schaefer, Henry F.; Wu, Judy I-Chia (December 2018, Inorganic Chemistry)
3. A computational and spectroscopic study of MgCCH (X ² Σ ⁺ ): towards characterizing MgCCH ⁺

   https://doi.org/10.1080/00268976.2023.2267135  

   Burns, Joseph E.; Cheng, Qianyi; Fortenberry, Ryan C.; Sun, Ming; Zack, Lindsay N.; Zaveri, Trishal; DeYonker, Nathan J.; Ziurys, Lucy M. (October 2023, Molecular Physics)

   New computational and experimental studies have been carried out for the MgCCH radical in its X2Σ+ state. Coupled cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triples, CCSD(T), was used in conjunction with post-CCSD(T) and scalar relativistic additive corrections to compute vibrational quartic force fields for this molecule. From the quartic force fields, higher-order spectroscopic properties, including rotational constants, were obtained. In tandem, the five lowest energy rotational transitions for MgCCH, N = 1→0 through N = 5→4, were measured for the first time using Fourier transform microwave/millimeter wave methods in the frequency range 9 -50 GHz. The radical was created in the Discharge Assisted Laser Ablation Source (DALAS) developed in the Ziurys group. A combined fit of these data with previous millimeter direct absorption measurements have yielded the most accurate rotational constants for MgCCH to date. The computed principle rotational constant lies within 1.51-1.65 MHz of the experimental one, validating the computational approach. High-level theory was then applied to produce accurate rovibrational spectroscopic constants for MgCCH+, including a rotational constant of B0 = 5354.5–5359.5 MHz.. These new predictions will further the experimental study of MgCCH+, and aid in the low-temperature characterization of MgCCH, detected towards the circumstellar shell of IRC+10216, a carbon-rich star. 

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4. RoDSE Synthesized Fine Tailored Au Nanoparticles from Au(X) ₄ ^– (X = Cl ^– , Br ^– , and OH ^– ) on Unsupported Vulcan XC-72R for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Media

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.8b01284  

   Betancourt, Luis E.; Ortiz-Rodríguez, Ángel M.; Corchado-García, Juan; Cabrera, Carlos R. (December 2018, ACS Applied Energy Materials)
5. Quaternary Pavonites A _1+x Sn _2–x Bi _5+x S ₁₀ (A ⁺ = Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ ): Site Occupancy Disorder Defines Electronic Structure

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b03091  

   Khoury, Jason F.; Hao, Shiqiang; Stoumpos, Constantinos C.; Yao, Zhenpeng; Malliakas, Christos D.; Aydemir, Umut; Slade, Tyler J.; Snyder, G. Jeffrey; Wolverton, Chris; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G. (February 2018, Inorganic Chemistry)